Moraira - Sports and Pastimes

   The Javea Golf Club
Golf on the Costa Blanca - At present there are 13 golf courses on the Costa Blanca and 4 are within easy reach of Moraira.
All are affiliated to the Spanish Federation and consequently can validate members handicaps internationally.
Most have clubs for hire to visitors and provide coaching.
Each one offers something different for the golfing enthusiast in terms of facilities and relative difficulty.
Please Note: Visitors must carry their handicap cards or they will not be able to play.

THE CLUB DE GOLF IFACH, situated on the San Jaime Urbanisation (Moraira) is a 9-hole, par 60, 3,408 m course, with surrounding views of the most prestigious properties in the area, the Peñon de Ifach and the sparkling blue Mediterranean.
The well-known designer Javier Arana created the Ifach club to be short and tricky with numerous obstacles. Many experienced Moraira golfers have remarked how deceptively difficult it really is making it ideal for the holiday golfer who has little time but appreciates the challenge.
There is a club bar with snacks, the Micheta Restaurant, a large swimming pool and tennis courts. TEL: (96) 649 7114/16.

THE JAVEA GOLF CLUB (pictured above) situated between Javea and Benitachell and just 10 minutes drive from Moraira, is another 9-hole course, 3,035 m, par 72 (18 holes).
Although slightly longer the Javea course is quite flat, easier to play and not so tiring in the hot Summer sun. Although quite a new course (opened 1981) it has been attractively planted and landscaped around the greens, has a driving range, putting green, club bar and restaurant.TEL: 965 792 584.

LA SELLA GOLF CLUB is situated in Denia, around 30 minutes from Moraira and is 18-hole, par 72, 6,029 m. Opened in 1991, the course was designed to "use all the clubs in the bag". Although almost absolutely flat it has many trees and water obstacles (canals and lakes - which provide the irrigation).
The course is set in the prestigious La Sella Urbanisation with numerous other facilities including tennis and squash clubs, a riding school and shops.
Although a private club with restricted membership, the public are allowed to use the very well appointed clubhouse, and holders of handicap cards from their home club may play on payment of a green fee.
Driving range, putting green, motorised trolleys, club house with club bar, lounge bar and restaurant. TEL: 966 454 252

CLUB DE GOLF 'DON CAYO' - Built in 1976 near Altea and also within 30 minutes drive of Moraira, was designed by the famous team of Gregorio Sanz & Pedro Barber Lloret, this is a very strenuous par 72, 9 hole, course of 3,078 metres which has superb views with plans to extend into the hills making it 18 holes with a cable car link from the existing course.
Facilities include a magnificent clubhouse with bar and restaurant, social club, Billiards, Bridge lounge, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf classes, caddie-cart/buggy/club hire, putting green, practice ground and golf classes.

Other Golf Clubs on the Costa Blanca, close to Moraira -

'CAMPOAMOR', between Cartegena & Alicante, 18 holes, 5,830 m, par 71

'BONALBA', between Busot & Muchamiel, 18 holes, 6,308 m, par 72

'LAS RAMBLAS DE ORIHUELA', Orihuela, between Cartegena & Alicante, 18 holes, 5,914 m, par 72

'VILLAMARTIN', Orihuela, between Cartegena & Alicante, 18 holes, 6,132 m, par 72

'EL PLANTIO', Partida del Bacarot, between Alicante & Elche, 18 holes, 6,148 m, par 72

'MARQUESA', between Rojales & Guardemar, 18 holes, 5,844 m, par 72

Bowling on the Costa Blanca - There are, at the time of writing, 11 bowling clubs in the area affiliated to the Costa Blanca Bowls Association.
Foreign clubs interested in playing here should contact the Costa Blanca organiser c/o the Benitachell B C, Tel: 649 31 51

THE BENITACHELL BOWLS CLUB is a private club, close to Moraira and run by the members on a non-profitmaking basis. No facilities are available to the general public but visiting clubs are made welcome.

THE JAVEA GREEN BOWLS CLUB is also close to Moraira and run within a commercial enterprise. There are 6 rinks with artificial grass, a comfortable clubhouse with bar and restaurant AND a very friendly atmosphere. For non-members there is a charge which includes the hire of the woods and dress is optional.
The adjoining INN ON THE GREEN restaurant provides a special Saturday night and Sunday lunchtime Carvery and "pot-luck" lunches during the week. Closed on Wednesday.
Tel : 577 15 53.

Sea Fishing in Moraira - The Spanish Mediterranean coast, on the whole, has been "plundered" for years by the commercial fisherman. Fortunately now this is better controlled and there can be some quite good sport with bass and conger for the beach-caster, especially at night.
There are some quite good Grey Mullet particularly in Calpe harbour and in Javea the fishermen allow anglers to fish off their moored boats in the evening.
Fishing is prohibited in Moraira marina.

Freshwater Fishing close to Moraira, on the Costa Blanca -

The interior of Spain boasts a wealth of waterways, mainly mountain rivers and streams and gigantic reservoirs. There is some very good sport for the trout angler but the best fisheries are controlled and day permits are required.
All of the reservoirs contain the coarse species Carp, Tench, Barbel, Black Bass, Zander, Pike, Eels, Golden Orfe and Koi Carp.
Locally the reservoirs of Villajoyosa (30 mins drive), Guadalest (1 hour) and Beniarres (1 hour) offer reasonable carp fishing with specimens up to 30 lbs but with the average fish being about 4 lbs. Additionally Villajoyosa abounds with Orfe and Koi Carp - imagine a keepnet full of such colours!
The two rivers of the Pego Marshes (3/4 hour) contain carp to 15lbs, barbel, black bass and the occasional sea bass. Unfortunately the locals have constructed "puestos" (-platforms) in the best swims and visitors are not allowed to use them.
Please note that a permit is required for fresh water fishing for each autonomous region but the cost is only 10 Euros for a full year. All that is required is your signature on the form and a photocopy of your passport. Licences can be obtained by any gestor but take about a week to arrive. You can go to the offices of the water authority in Alicante yourself and obtain one immediately or make prior arrangements via your Tour Operator or Rental Agency. The penalty for being caught is a stiff fine and confiscation of all tackle.

Other Sports and Pastimes in Moraira -

There is a Go-Kart racing track located close to the Font Santa in Moraira ( Tel: 574 14 69) and another operates for the children (with tiny two-stroke engines) at the back of the beach - during the Summer season only.
Javea and Benidorm also have Go-Kart Track

There are numerous Tennis Courts in Moraira, mostly attached to residential developments, and some allow non-residents to hire for a small fee. There is a tennis club at the SOL PARK URBANISATION ( Tel: 574 06 12) and Teulada Town has a MUNICIPAL SPORTS CENTRE with a stadium and there is an outdoor centre at Moraira.
The facilities include swimming pool, basket ball, handball, tennis, badminton and five-a-side football and there is, of course, a MUNICIPAL FOOTBALL PITCH - for all enquiries about these municipal sports facilities contact the Town Hall on 965 740 158.

At the DON PEDRO APARTOTEL in Moraira there is a Squash Club ( Tel: 649 03 51) and at Tabaira there is an open-air squash court with "natural" air conditioning.

There is horse-riding at La Sella Complex in Denia, and the La Paz stables in Lliber.

Rugby is played at Villajoyosa and, if you enjoy exploring the countryside, then the MORAIRA CLUB have regular walks.

There is a clay pigeon shooting club on the Cabo between Javea and Denia, Tenpin Bowling in Benidorm and Javea and roller skating in Javea.

Bullfighting - A delicate subject to broach with so much international feeling against the savagery of the "Corrida de Toros". However, no guide to Spain would be complete without a mention for those who wish to see and judge for themselves this traditional Spanish spectacle. There is a very touristic "Plaza de Toros" in Benidorm and a very Spanish one in Ondara where "Corridas" are held on most summer Sundays and fiestas. Both Alicante and Valencia have their bullrings the latter attracting the top bullfighters in the world for the week of fiestas in August.